[Percutaneous lumbar facet denervation. Indications and significance in chronic backache]

The lumber facet joints have been established as a source of low back pain which may radiate to the leg. Because there are no reliable clinical signs which confirm the diagnosis injections of an anaesthetic agent into the joints are necessary. Therapeutically a percutaneous radiofrequency destruction of the medial branches of lumbar dorsal rami may relieve such pain. Success rate, however, is depending on a careful selection of patients.